Only a centimeter long, but the invasive killer shrimp threatens our native species on the Broads and in our rivers. Environment Agency workshop at Wheatfen. Photo: Bill Smith

More than 200 people dropped into a workshop organised by the Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative, working with the Environment Agency and Broads Authority, to check out a range of invasive species threatening our natural environment.

On show at the event on Wednesday afternoon were everything from signal and Turkish crayfish - a threat to our native white-clawed variety - to killer shrimps and the rampantly spreading Himalayam balsam and floating pennywort.

Experts were on hand to show visitors how to identify the different species and explain the damage they cause.

Andrew Raine, a team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “Killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus has been in the news a lot recently. It is now found in several locations across the Broads and is expected to continue to spread. We need as many people as possible to know what the shrimp looks like, and where to report any suspected sightings.”

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In reality aren't all species invasive or non-native to a degree, after all there have been many times when there was nothing here at all. When you look around today there is so little that is here that is natural and arrived on it's own accord. Unfortunately man has had a hand in most things and made a right mess of it at the same time.

yes you are right, just a pleb, but there are pockets of ancient places, try join an organised walk in Shotesham wood, unmanaged, bar a very few places, it feels like stepping into a Hansel and Gretel reality. Enjoy.